Helena Talbot’s blog – Tips For Preparing A Successful Open House

If you're trying to sell your home, having an open house is a great way to access a large number of potential buyers at one time.  In addition, an open house could generate multiple offers with the buyers each trying to outbid each other.  However, if you want to have a successful open house, there are several things you'll need to do to prepare before you begin.

1.  Remove all the clutter and pack up anything you don't use on a daily basis.  This will make your home feel bigger and your closet space feel bigger as well.  Additionally, removing all the clutter, personal pictures and decor will help your buyers to more easily picture themselves living there.  

2.  Have your home professionally cleaned.  A professional cleaning service will have the right tools, equipment and personnel to thoroughly clean your home from top to bottom in a record amount of time.   If your home is not spotless, all your buyers will notice is how unkempt your home appears and that will determine their opinion about the condition of your home.  You need to make sure your home is spotless before you sponsor your open house. 

3.  Hire a professional stager to help you decorate and arrange the things in your home in the best possible way.  A professional stager has been educated on how to arrange furniture, what colors and decor to use and how to utilize your lighting, or lack of lighting, to your home's advantage.  

4.  Neutralize the odors in your home.  All homes have a lived in smell.  You'll need to have your carpets cleaned (or replaced), bathe your pets and make sure all litter boxes are clean.  Additionally, on the day of your open house you should make other arrangements for your pets and remove all indications that a pet lives there.   Talk to your realtor about the different ways they've successfully used to neutralize homes with a strong lived in smell.

5.  Complete any and all repairs.  It only takes a buyer to see one thing wrong with your home.  They will then begin to look for other things that are wrong - instead of looking for the things that are right.

6.  Buy some nice hand towels and linens to put in your kitchen and bathrooms.  This helps give your home a new, fresh, clean vibe versus old and used.

7.  Neatly organize everything in your closets, cabinets and drawers.  This will give your home the appearance of being well maintained. 

8.  Spruce up the curb appeal to ensure that the first impression of your home is a good one.

9.  Have your open house catered.  Set up some nice tableware, etc. to make your home memorable and to help your guests envision what it would be like to live in your home.   

10. Make sure you're not present during the open house.  Most buyers are not comfortable looking through your things or talking about your home in your presence.  

Talk to your realtor about more tips and tricks you can use to ensure your open house is successful.  Your realtor is familiar with the neighborhood and with the other buyers agents in the area.  Therefore, he will be able to help you prepare and get the word out so you'll be able to sponsor the most successful open house possible.  

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia.

I have over 25 years experience in the real estate industry.  As a Broker/Owner with Exit Realty Talbot and Company, I bring special tools and solutions that enable me to exceed the expectations of my clientele.  If you are considering listing your property in Loudoun County or the nearby areas, ask me about our latest internet marketing systems.  I would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.  

I am experienced in listing and selling short sales.  For information on the short sale process, please visit  www.LoudounShortSaleSolutions.com.

For a free market analysis on the value of your home, please visit http://www.LoudounHomeValues.com

My past awards and designations include – 2003 President of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 2003 Dulles Area Assoc Realtor of the Year, Salesperson of the year 2000 Dulles Area Assoc of Realtors,  Top Producer awards from both the Dulles Area Association and the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.  I am a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network.

I have lived in Loudoun County since 1979.  I am married with two grown children and two grandchildren.  My son in law is my business partner in real estate.  I love to jog in the mornings and spend time relaxing on my Trawler during the summer months.

Loudoun County and Northern Virginia Real Estate Sales and Solutions – Helena Talbot, Broker. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax, Clarke, Fauquier, Prince William  Counties.  Our local neighborhoods includeLeesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont.                        Cell 703.727.9885    Office 703.574.3800

Free iPhone/Android Mobile App to search Northern Virginia real estate.  2 easy ways to get the App:  Text “Exit9” to 87778 or enter http://87778.mobi/Exit9 into your browser.